Mailbox signal



'Aug. 19, 1941. c. r. HOPPE MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed March- 21, 1940 4 2 Q 3 u 1 3L 2 E w a H 4 1 A 1 4 :21 fil 3 m n 4 1T L 4 Q W n 3 2 2% a j O Inventor A iiorneys Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNIT-ED STATES PATENT QFFICE 2,253,461 p MAILBOX SIGNAL Charles T. Hoppe, Platte, S; Dali." Application March 21, 1940, Serial Nb. 325,256

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in signals particularly for rural mail boxes and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means for positively securing the flag in raised or operative position under all conditions.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a rural mail box signal of the aforementioned character wherein the flag may be conveniently released from operative position when desired.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a signal of the character described which may be expeditiously mounted for operation on a conventional mail box.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a rural mail box signal which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a signal constructed in accordanc with the present invention, showing the device mounted on a rural mail box with the flag in raised or operative position.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a View in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated, comprises a substantially rectangular plate I of suitable metal having holes in its corner portions for the reception of bolts 2 for firmly securing said plate in position on one side of a mail box, as at 3. Pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the plate I is an arm 4 in the form of a metallic bar. Fixed on one end portion of the arm 4 is a metallic flag 5.

Rivets 8 secure the flag 5 to the arm 4. The arm 4 is mounted at an intermediate point on the plate I through the medium of a pivot structure which is designated generally by the reference numeral I. Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawing, it will be observed that the pivot 1 comprises a bolt 8 which is mounted on the plate I and which projects outwardly. therefrom. Mounted on the bolt 8 is a stationary sleeve 9. A nut In which is threaded on the outer end portion of the bolt 8 clamps the sleeve 9 against the plate I, a washer I I being interposed between said nut and said sleeve. Journalled on the sleeve 9 is a bearing I2 which is fixed in an opening I3 which is provided therefor in the arm 4.

A coil spring I4 encircles the bearing l2 and has one end secured to the plate I, as at I5. The other end of the spring I4 is connected to the arm 4 in a manner to actuate said arm to lowered or inoperative position, as suggested in broken lines in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Stops l6 and I! which project from the plate I limit the swinging movement of the arm 4 under the in-' fluence of the spring I4.

Mounted on the forward end portion of the plate I is a vertical guide I8. The reference numeral I9 designates a trip lever of suitable metal having one end pivotally connected to the rear end portion of the plate I, as at 20. The pivotal connection 20 is substantially similar to the pivotal connection I for the arm 4. The spring 2| on the pivotal connection 20 yieldingly urges the trip lever I9 upwardly to operative position. Mounted on the inner side of the trip lever I9 is a lug 22 which is engageable with the lower end portion of the arm 4 for releasably securing said arm in raised or operative position against the tension of the spring I 4. The lower end portion of the arm 4 is rounded, as at 23, to facilitate riding past the lug 22 when the flag is raised. It may be well to here state that the trip lever I9 is operable in the guide I8.

It is thought that the manner in which the device functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the trip lever I9 is normally held in raised position by the spring 2I. When mail is deposited in the box 3 to be picked up by the mail man the arm 4 with the flag 5 thereon is swung upwardly to raised or operative position against the tension of the spring I4. When the rounded lower end portion 23 of the arm 4 clears the lug 22 the lever I9 is automatically raised by the spring 2I for engaging said lug 22 with said arm for securing said arm in raised position. When the mail is removed from the box, the lever I9 is swung downwardly against the tension of the spring 2|, thereby disengaging the lug 22 from the lower end portion of the arm 4. When the arm is thus released, it is swung downwardly with the flag 5 thereon by the spring l4 and is arrested in a substantially horizontal position by the stops l6 and [1.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be observed that the guide l8 comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped, complemental members between which the lever [B is operable, said members being secured to the plate 1 by bolts 24. The bearings or pivotal connections I and 20 for the members 4 and .19, respectively, assure ample strength for long wear and durability.

It is believed that the many advantages of a rural mail box signal constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although the preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A mail box signal including a plate, a bolt having its headed end anchored in the plate, said bolt projecting from said plate, a sleeve mounted on the bolt, a nut threaded on the outer end portion of the bolt for clamping the sleeve against the plate, a tubular bearing, of less length than the sleeve, journaled on said sleeve, a signal arm fixed on one end portion of said bearing, and a coil spring mounted on the bearing and connected to the arm for actuating said arm in one direction.

CHARLES T. HOPPE. 

